Flight
Our advice is to fly directly in to Sarasota. Pro: only 30 minutes from the venue/Siesta Key Con: not a lot of nonstop flights available Other airports to consider: Punta Gorda (PGD - for Allegiant Flights only), Tampa International Airport (TPA) or Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. These are between 1 - 1 1/2 hrs from Sarasota.
Hotel
There are many hotels on and around Siesta Key... a few of our recommendations: Tropical Beach Resorts (6717 Sarasea Cir, Siesta Key, FL 34242) The Capri at Siesta (6782 Sarasea Cir, Sarasota, FL 34242) Siesta Key Palms Resort (1800 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231) - off the Key Spark by Hilton Sarasota Siesta Key (6600 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34231) - off the Key A bit further down, in our hometown, Nokomis, with another beautiful beach and pier: Home2Suites by Hilton Nokomis Casey Key (227 Albee Farm Rd W, Nokomis FL 34275) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nokomis (206 Albee Farm Rd W, Nokomis, FL 34275)
House Or Rental
Rental Car
Renting a car gives you more flexibility to explore everything Sarasota has to offer. However, if you plan on staying directly on Siesta Key, you can take advantage of the FREE 77 Siesta Islander Shuttle, which runs from 8am-10pm daily and stops at the Key's main points of interest, and even takes you downtown Sarasota. You may just have to Uber to/from the airport...